An evaluation of the 1987 Texas Senate Bill 1160: The effectiveness of legislated accountability requirements for nurses

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of Senate Bill 1160 in promoting accountability for professional nursing practice within the State of Texas. Mandatory reporting and peer review were examined as mechanisms to promote accountability. This study utilized a nonexperimental, explanatory evaluation research design. Data sources included record abstracts, interviews and responses to a questionnaire. Data analysis included the use of descriptive and inferential statistics.

Based on the findings of this study, it was concluded that professional nursing accountability was enhanced via the use of mandatory reporting and peer review as mandated by Senate Bill 1160. However, proportionally speaking in relation to the total RN population, under reporting of incompetent nurses was probably occurring. It was also concluded, that peer review was primarily being utilized as a reactive process and not in a proactive manner aimed at improving the overall quality of professional nursing practice.